Electronic Equipment and Device Malfunctions
Electronic devices are becoming more advanced every year. The electronic parts used in electronic devices are becoming increasingly precise. This trend has led to increasing cases of problems such as device errors, stoppage, and unintended operations caused by electrostatic discharge.
How malfunctions occur
When static electricity is discharged, there is always electromagnetic noise. This electromagnetic noise can cause malfunctions in electronic equipment and devices.
PLCs that control devices and instruments that run on minute current and voltage (e.g. electronic balance, weight checker, and metal detector) can be affected by electromagnetic noise.
Measures for malfunctions
With malfunctions of this type, the problem is not the amount of electrostatic charge, but rather the electromagnetic noise generated when an electrostatic discharge occurs. This means that it is important to prevent electrostatic discharges and electromagnetic noise generation.
Grounding and static elimination (ionizers) can be used to prevent these problems.
For example, on a can manufacturing line such as that shown in the figure, charged cans can discharge static, generating electromagnetic noise that ends up stopping the system.
A static eliminator (ionizer) is used to prevent such malfunctions. Static eliminators (ionizers) can eliminate static without coming into contact with products, so it is easy to add them onto existing production lines.
